cover image Return to Virgin River

Return to Virgin River

Robyn Carr. Mira, $27.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-7783-8834-0

Carr is a master of charming small-town ambience, and the 21st romance in her Virgin River series (after My Kind of Christmas) does not disappoint. Suspense novelist Kaylee Sloan leaves her Southern California home and heads up the coast to hunker down in remote Humboldt County, hoping the seclusion will offer her space to meet the deadline for her next book and mourn her late mother. Unfortunately, she arrives at her rental right as the fire trucks are leaving, finding it charred and uninhabitable. In steps handsome artist Landry Moore, who offers to rent Kaylee a small house on his property in the quaint town of Virgin River. Soon, Kaylee’s setting suspense aside for romance, both literary and personal. But their budding relationship hits a bump when Landry’s long-estranged wife arrives, wanting a second chance. Carr nails the sometimes-painful process of writing, painting Kaylee’s work as one of the toughest and most rewarding of pursuits, while skillfully building passion between her hero and heroine. Longtime fans will relish glimpses of past favorite characters, who add depth and joy to this sweet romance. Fans and new readers alike will delight in visiting Virgin River. (Oct.)